The Library of Americana and Decorative Arts

According to the Sappington House Foundation, "The Library of Americana and Decorative Arts nestled in verdant Sappington Park contains an extensive collection of books detailing Missouri and American history, antiques, and genealogy. The Library of Americana is a nationally recognized research library where reading and browsing are encouraged; however, holdings are not available to borrow."

This research library was dedicated on September 21, 1975, and is currently open to the public for specialty research. There are over two hundred books and seventy rare books in the collection. Some of these include "The American Gardener's Calendar" by Bernard Mahon, written in 1809, and "Morse's Universal Geography" by Jedidiah Morse, written in 1812.

The Library of Americana and Decorative Arts has a few art pieces as well. These include gild-framed oil paintings, one of Mrs. Carolyn McDonnell's. Mrs. McDonnell is responsible for the restoration and refurbishment of the house. Many of the books in this collection were used by Mrs. McDonnell to plan the restoration of gardens as well as the house. There are also a few different ceramic pieces, including vases and plates. Because the Thomas Sappington House is only partially handicapped accessible, a nineteen-minute virtual tour of the Thomas Sappington house can also be found in the Library of Americana and Decorative Arts.

Accessed April 9th 2021. https://historicsappingtonhouse.org/museumlibrary/.

ONeal, T. (2021, February). Sappington Family  [Photograph]. St. Louis.

Sappington House Library Rare Book List. (2018, October 2). Retrieved from https://historicsappingtonhouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Sappington-House-Library-Rare-Book-List-Handout-2018-10-03.pdf

Sappington House Library Catalog by Title. (2018, October 2). Retrieved from https://historicsappingtonhouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Sappington-House-Library-Catalog-by-Title-2018-10-02.pdf

The Thomas Sappington house museum. (n.d.). Retrieved April 28, 2021, from https://historicsappingtonhouse.org/